best way to install RAM

[GreatGreen]

what would be the best way to install two sticks of RAM?

the board has 4 RAM slots, channels A1, A2, B1, and B2.

the RAM is 2 Gigs (2 x 1 Gig).


should i install the two sticks next to each other, in slots A1 and A2? or should i install the RAM in dual channel mode in slots A1 and B1? i'm not exactly sure what dual channel mode is, so that's kind of why i'm asking..

 

[thebleakness]

Go with them in Dual Channel. Either slots A1+B1 or A2+B2. Placing them side by side will not allow them to run dual channel.

 

[GreatGreen]

thanks!

by the way, what exactly are the benefits of dual channel mode, anyway?

 

[003]

Double the bandwidth.

 

[Osiris]

To cure the bandwidth backup, chipset manufacturers have been quick to embrace the benefits of dual-channel memory architecture. Although there are many differences between models, the basic concept is as simple as opening a second checkout line at the supermarket -- adding a second memory channel for theoretically double the bandwidth. If a single channel of DDR266 memory supplies 2.13GB/sec of bandwidth, then naturally a dual-channel memory controller (using two modules or sticks of DDR266) can enjoy 4.3GB/sec of bandwidth.

 

[GreatGreen]

hey, thanks for the replies, guys!

one more thing... is there really that much of a noticable difference? we all know that theory is one thing and practice is another... does this hold true with dual channel RAM vs. single channel?

 

[003]

It does make a difference, but it's very small (depending on what you do, it would probably benefit CAD and things like that) and you would have to use benchmarks to see it.

 

[mike4realz]

any applications that requires huge amount of ram. dual channel will make a difference

 

[PizzatheHut06]

The difference with using dual channel is not very large at all. It offers roughly a 5% performance increase.